Gym rent can be worth it if your client numbers let you earn more than the rent plus your own costs. Many PTs make it work, especially where the gym provides a large member base and support, but it is not right for everyone.
What gym rent buys you
As a self-employed PT you pay rent for access to the gym floor and its members. At PureGym, for example, you keep 100% of your PT earnings and get your first month rent free. The rent buys you more than space. You get access to a large member base, free advertising on the gym website and social media, lead generation workshops, and support like mentoring and business resources. That can be worth a lot when you are starting out and need to find clients quickly.
Work out your break-even point
First, look at what you can charge. Outside London, a typical PT session costs £30 to £65 for 45 to 60 minutes. In London, £45 to £65 is common. Your rent might be a few hundred pounds a month. Say your rent is £500 a month and you charge £40 a session. You need 13 sessions a month just to cover rent. That is about three sessions a week, and it leaves you with nothing for your time. You also have other costs: insurance, travel, equipment, and tax. So the real break-even is higher. Do the sum: sessions per week times price times the number of weeks in the month, minus rent and other monthly costs, equals what you actually earn.
The PureGym model as an example
PureGym offers self-employed PTs a deal that can make rent feel less risky. You keep 100% of your PT earnings and the first month is rent free. That gives you time to build a client base before rent kicks in. You also get free advertising on the PureGym website and social media, five free guest passes a month, and lead generation support. If you use those tools well, rent can pay for itself quickly. But remember, rent is still a fixed cost every month after that first one, so you need a steady flow of clients.
When rent is not worth it
Rent may not be worth it if you already have a full client book and train people outdoors, at home, or online. If your sessions are all booked and you do not need new members, paying for floor access is just overhead. It can also be a poor fit if the rent is high compared with local session prices. In a low-cost area, you might struggle to charge enough to cover a high rent and still pay yourself a decent hourly rate. And if the gym has many other PTs, the member base is split more ways.
Questions to ask before you sign
- How much is the rent, and is there a minimum contract?
- Do you keep all your PT income, or does the gym take a cut?
- How many members does the gym have, and how many PTs already work there?
- What lead generation help do you get, such as free advertising or taster sessions?
- Can you use the gym for your own training outside client hours?
- What happens if you want to leave early? Is there a notice period or penalty?
Making the decision
Rent is worth it when the combination of a large member base, lead support, and a fair monthly cost lets you fill enough sessions at your local rate. Do the simple maths: estimate how many sessions you can realistically deliver each week, multiply by your price and by the number of weeks in the month, then subtract rent and other monthly costs, and see if the number works for you. If it beats working elsewhere or for a salary, go for it. If not, keep looking or build your client base first.
Doing it in AptCoach
AptCoach's booking links fit around your sessions, free or paid. You set your own rules for cancelling, and whether a paid booking is refunded depends on the window you choose.